Clothing construction

ABSTRACT

A hemless and seamless garment constructed from a plurality of interconnected components of material to enable various garments to be constructed by obtaining precut components or cutting such components from garment material or the like and connecting them together in a manner to form various garments. The present invention generally relates to the construction of articles of clothing and more particularly the arrangement of component parts in a particular manner to form garments which are hemless and seamless and yet are quite attractive in appearance, fashionable and utilitarian.

United States Patent [151 3,662,404 Schinker [4 1 May 16, 1972 54]CLOTIHNG CONSTRUCTION FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCA'IlONS [72] Inventor:Bettie Jane Schinker, 1632 East Cedar 637,724 2/1928 France ..69/2lStreet, Tempe, Ariz. 85281 383,478 10/1923 Germany ..69/21 [22] Filed:June 1970 Primary Examiner-Alfred R. Guest [21 Appl. No.: 47,979An0rneyClarence A. OBrien and Harvey B. Jacobson 52 us. Cl ..2/243 R,02/49 [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl. ..A41d 1/04 A hemless and seamlessgarment constructed from a plurality [58] Field of Search ..2/243 R, 243A, 243 B, 2.5; of interconnected components of material to enablevarious 1 garments to be constructed by obtaining precut components69/21 or cutting such components from garment material or the like andconnecting them together in a manner to form various [56] I ReferencesCited garments.

UNITED STATES PATENTS The present invention generally relates to theconstruction of articles of clothing and more particularly thearrangement of D196,482 10/1963 Bentley ..D2/l89 component parts in aparticular manner to form garments l,02l,804 4/l9l2 Schneider .,2/2.5X

v M at 0 which are hemless and seamless and yet are quite attractive inappearance, fashionable and utilitarian.

9 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAY 16 I972 3. 662,404

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CLOTHING CONSTRUCTION An object of the present invention is to provide aclothing construction in which the article of clothing is constructedfrom a plurality of identical components which are interconnected in amanner to form a garment with the components either being permanentlyconnected or detachably connected to enable variations in the size andstyle of the garment thereby enabling a person to easily create variousgarments to satisfy individual taste and requirements.

Another object of the invention is to provide clothing construction inwhich the component parts may be constructed of various shapes andconfigurations such as diamond shaped, square, circular or other regularor irregular shapes.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a garment constructed in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a plurality of the component parts joinedtogether illustrating the relationship thereof.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the manner in whichthe component part is formed.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of one of the component parts illustratingthe structure thereof.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating another arrangement ofcomponent parts.

F IG. 6 is a sectional view of FIG. 5 illustrating the manner in whichthe component parts thereof are secured together.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another type of component parts employing abutton type of interconnecting means.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of another assembly illustrating a snap fastenertype of interconnecting means employed for the component parts.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generallydesignates a garment formed in accordance with the present inventionthat is constructed of a plurality of interconnected component partseach designated by the numeral 12 and each being generally diamondshaped in configuration as best illustrated in FIG. 2. FIGS. 3 and 4illustrate the manner of constructing each of the diamond shapedcomponents. In constructing the diamond shaped components for forming agarment such as the gown 10, a bonded twinkle knit fabric is used toform the diamonds which are individually cut with the outward surface orglitter side of the fabric exposed. While the dimensions of the diamondshaped member 12 may vary, it has been found that a diamond shapedmember having a 3- inch dimension on each side edge thereof is adequateand performs in a desirable manner. The diamond shaped piece of twinkleknit fabric is designated by the numeral 14 and a similar size piece oftaffeta fabric 16 is cut and serves as a facing or lining for the bondedtwinkle knit fabric which has a relatively rough surface. The taffetapiece 16 is placed on the glitter side of the bonded twinkle knit fabricpiece 14 and machine stitched around three sides and on the fourth side,a 35-inch opening is left in order to turn the design right-side outwhen it is stitched. After this is done, the Vt-inch opening is handstitched with a hidden stitch to complete the individual diamond inwhich the diamond component 12 is provided with two thicknesses andperipherally stitched to each other at 18 by a hidden stitch that is notdiscernible and which provides a finished peripheral appearance to eachdiamond component In constructing the gown 10, a predetermined number ofdiamond components 12 are used with the diamonds being interconnected atthe overlapping tips thereof by stitching 20. As illustrated, the tip atthe upper end of each diamond underlies and is stitched to the lower endof the adjacent upper diamond as illustrated in FIG. 2. correspondingly,the left hand tip of each diamond overlap and is stitched to thecorresponding right hand tip of the diamond component 12 at the adjacentleft tip. This is repeated throughout the garment to form a plurality ofrows. Machine stitching or other types of stitching may be employed forsecuring the diamond components together in the manner illustrated inFIG. 2. While the dimensional characteristics may vary, it was foundthat 18 diamonds linked together form an adequate row and in the garmentshown, the rows are interconnected by connecting the diamond componentsof an upper row in overlapping relation to the upper tips of the diamondcomponents of the next adjacent lower row. In FIG. 1 of the drawings,the garment is shortened but in order to provide a full length dress, I2rows of diamond components are employed with the 13th row at the top ofthe gown or evening dress consisting of five diamonds interconnected inthe same manner with the upper row or 13th row of five diamonds beinggenerally designated by numeral 22. The top of each shoulder of theevening dress or garment is formed by linking the bottom tip of adiamond in overlapping relation to the top tip of the outermost diamondin row 22 with this diamond component being designated by numeral 24. Informing the back of the garment, the top of each shoulder is made byjoining two diamonds on each side of the 12th row leaving a space of twodiamonds bare. The sleeves, although optional, are formed by linking thediamond components horizontally as illustrated in FIG. 1 so that theentire garment is constructed of a plurality of interconnected diamondcomponents with the second row of diamonds in the sleeve being connectedwith the 12th row of diamonds in the garment as illustrated in order tocomplete the sleeve construction.

While bonded fabric has been disclosed, it is also contem plated thatother materials may be employed. For example, the materials involved mayemploy various fabrics, simulated leathers, vinyl or the like andvarious fabrics may be employed as lining or facing material or thelining or facing material may even be omitted all together in someinstances. Further, while stitching has been disclosed in FIGS. 1-4, itis pointed out that the diamond components 12 illustrated in FIG. 5 maybe secured together by a suitable adhesive or glue 26. This type ofinterconnection is especially useful when employing vinyl material,simulated leather or the like which provides an adequate bond for thecomponents.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the diamond components 28 are interconnectedby buttons 30 engaged with appropriate buttonholes 32. Each diamondshaped member 28 has a button at the upper tip and right hand tip and abuttonhole at the lower and left hand tip as illustrated in FIG. 7 toenable the diamond shaped components 28 to be interconnected in the samemanner as in the other embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates another arrangement in which the diamond shapedcomponents 34 have male snap fastener elements 36 at two corners thereofand female snap fastener elements 38 at two comers thereof fordetachable interengagement in the same relationship as in the otherembodiments of the invention.

When employing this unique construction, there is provided aversatility, economy and style in a wide assortment of sizes not capablefrom conventional clothing manufacturing techniques. This arrangementprovides a hemless and seamless garment and by using it, a woman caneasily create a single dress or an entire wardrobe to fit hereindividual tastes. The component parts may be diamonds, as illustrated,squares, circles, rectangles, stars, crescents or any particular shapedesired. By utilizing a predetermined number of components, a woman cancreate an attractive evening gown or by employing a smaller number ofdiamond components, a practical, attractive street length dress may beconstructed. Various other garment items may be constructed such asswimsuits, slack sets, jump suits and also lingerie may be constructedemploying the components arranged in the manner disclosed. If desired,various fabrics and materials may be employed including expensivefabrics and materials or inexpensive fabrics or materials and ifdesired, the lower row or rows of components may be disconnected toconvert a dress from one length to another or rows may be desired. Insome instances, a lining can be provided for the dress if desired or itmay be worn directly over various undergarments which are preferably,but not necessarily, the same color as the outer garment. Variousattractive appearance features may be utilized by combining variouscolors, shapes and configurations of component parts.

This invention provides numerous basic advantages including versatility,economy in material usage, the negation of figure imperfection, usefulfor all age groups, useful in con structing mens apparel such as vests,ties, shirts, pants and the like, useful in constructing handbags,belts, slippers and other items employing leather, simulated leather,vinyl or the like, useful in constructing bedspreads, draperies, pillowcovers and the like, useful in constructing coats, scarves, and otherouter garments with the basic arrangement being capable of beingknitted, crocheted or otherwise formed into the various structuresinvolved.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A hemless and seamless article of clothing comprising a bodyencircling garment constructed of a plurality of flexible components,each component partially overlapping with and fixedly connected to eachalternate adjacent component at only one point along the peripherythereof whereby said body encircling garment includes a plurality ofspaced openings therein bounded by said components, and includingopenings in said garment to permit the donning thereof.

2. An article of clothing, as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidcomponents are all identical in size and configuration.

3. An article of clothing, as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidcomponents are connected by stitching the overlapping portion portions4. An article of clothing, as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidcomponents are connected by detachable fastening means disposed on theoverlapping portions thereof.

5. An article of clothing, as claimed in claim 4, wherein saiddetachable means is in the form of a button and buttonhole assembly.

6. An article of clothing, as claimed in claim 4, wherein saiddetachable means includes male and female interengaged fastenerelements.

7. An article of clothing, as claimed in claim 2, wherein each componentis diamond shaped with the tips of each diamond shaped componentoverlapping and connected to the tips of alternate adjacent diamondshaped components, whereby said resulting garment includes a pluralityof spaced diamond shaped openings therein.

8. An article of clothing as claimed in claim 1, wherein each saidcomponent comprises elements of identical size and configurationdisposed in face-to-face relation and connected along the peripheriesthereof.

9. An article of clothing as claimed in claim 1, wherein said openingsto permit the donning thereof include openings for the insertion of thehead and limbs of the wearer of the garment.

1. A hemless and seamless article of clothing comprising a bodyencircling garment constructed of a plurality of flexible components,each component partially overlapping with and fixedly connected to eachalternate adjacent component at only one point along the peripherythereof whereby said body encircling garment includes a plurality ofspaced openings therein bounded by said components, and includingopenings in said garment to permit the donning thereof.
 2. An article ofclothing, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said components are allidentical in size and configuration.
 3. An article of clothing, asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said components are connected by stitchingthe overlapping portion portions
 4. An article of clothing, as claimedin claim 1, wherein said components are connected by detachablefastening means disposed on the overlapping portions thereof.
 5. Anarticle of clothing, as claimed in claim 4, wherein said detachablemeans is in the form of a button and buttonhole assembly.
 6. An articleof clothing, as claimed in claim 4, wherein said detachable meansincludes male and female interengaged fastener elements.
 7. An articleof clothing, as claimed in claim 2, wherein each component is diamondshaped with the tips of each diamond shaped component overlapping andconnected to the tips of alternate adjacent diamond shaped components,whereby said resulting garment includes a plurality of spaced diamondshaped openings therein.
 8. An article of clothing as claimed in claim1, wherein each said component comprises elements of identical size andconfiguration disposed in face-to-face relation and connected along theperipheries thereof.
 9. An article of clothing as claimed in claim 1,wherein said openings to permit the donning thereof include openings forthe insertion of the head and limbs of the wearer of the garment.